A New York team is reportedly on the list of five finalists for free-agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. Surprisingly, reports indicate that team is the New York Mets. not the New York Yankees.
Buehrle, 32, is the sort of dependable, left-handed, innings-eating No. 2 or No. 3 starter that the Yankees would love to add to their rotation. Their has been no indication, though, that Buerhle has any interest in pitching for the Yankees.
Buehrle has pitched at least 200 innings for 11 consecutive seasons, and has a career record of 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA.
Other teams apparently interested in Buehrle include the suddenly free-spending Miami Marlins, the Texas Rangers, the Washington Nationals and possibly the Minnesota Twins are in the running for the veteran left-hander.
It seems a bit surprising that the Mets would be in the mix for Buehrle, but perhaps after losing shortstop Jose Reyes to the Marlins there is a little bit of money in the team’s coffers. They could do worse than use it on a quality starting pitcher.